Town Square

Rengstorff/Central Expy Traffic?

Original post made
by Casper48, Castro City,
on May 16, 2007

So happy to see the Voice's Town Square!

Has anyone else noticed changes in the traffic pattern at Rengstorff and Central?

I commute to downtown Palo Alto Mon-Fri. at 8-8:10 am. Since January, I have noticed a change in the flow of traffic. Seems like the Central Expy traffic now has priority. With the train crossing at Rengstorff, autos crossing Central -- or turning onto Central from Rengstorff -- have always been given preference after the crossing gates go up. That's not happening anymore, and some days I have to sit through 3 stop lights on Rengstorff before I can turn onto Central.

PS: Before this stream becomes a stage for using public transportation, I would love to take the train but I need my car for work.

Posted by Don Frances
Mountain View Voice Editor
on May 16, 2007 at 3:46 pmDon Frances is a registered user.

I tend to avoid the Rengstorff crossing for the very reason you're talking about -- sitting through multiple red lights. Incredibly frustrating. On the other hand, I haven't noticed that it's any better, worse or different at similar crossings in town, like where Moffett turns into Castro.

Happily, the VTA is talking about putting an underpass at Rengstorff which would solve this problem for good. Details are at the bottom of this VTA story here:

I cross it every morning on my way to SB 101. However, I avoid it as much as possible on the way home. Sitting on the Shell Gas Station side of Rengstorff trying to cross over Central can cost you a good 5-10 minutes of time just sitting there (due to multiple trains).

Posted by Casper48
a resident of Castro City
on May 17, 2007 at 11:37 am

GSB-

I avoid that part of Rengstorff, too. If it's convenient for you, try the San Antonio frontage road (across from HP/Mayfield just before the overpass). I discovered this great shortcut about 2 years after moving to MV. Takes you to Central at the stop light just north of the San Antonio overpass. A little out of the way but you make up the time you lose sitting in traffic.

Note to Don Frances: I did see the article on the proposed Rengstorff underpass when it appeared in the Voice.

Posted by Britt Callaway
a resident of Old Mountain View
on May 21, 2007 at 9:26 am

I use Central Expressway, and often the train actually helps traffic (especially southbound Central) at the expense of Rengstorff traffic. In particular, drivers coming out of the shopping center onto Rengstorff have a really tough time (unless some considerate driver lets them in!).

Posted by Amanda
a resident of The Crossings
on May 27, 2007 at 7:53 pm

Ironically, that intersection is still much improved now that the train station is no longer there! The train used to actually STOP across the intersection, and you'd wait for it to slowly come to a stop, unload and reload and get started again. Now THAT was a mess!

Posted by Amanda
a resident of The Crossings
on May 27, 2007 at 7:53 pm

Ironically, that intersection is still much improved now that the train station is no longer there! The train used to actually STOP across the intersection, and you'd wait for it to slowly come to a stop, unload and reload and get started again. Now THAT was a mess!

Posted by Joanne
a resident of Rengstorff Park
on Feb 23, 2014 at 3:02 pm

Although improved it's still completely dangerous and the City needs to fix it quickly. I live on Rengstorff and cannot get out my driveway between 5-6:3pm Mon-Friday; and I've witnessed numerous near collisions with the new timing and left only on Leland before you cross the tracks. I cannot imagine what will happen when the new community is done on corner of Rengstorff and Central. Traffic will double; accidents will too.